Ashes to Worship Ministry

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Just a little update to the ministry here in Rwanda. Some of you may not have heard, but we moved to the village we are working in on May 1st and started house sitting for our fellow missionaries from Canada, while they went back to Canada to give birth to their first child.

Update on the two classrooms - with money donated we were able to finish a much needed outdoor 6 hole toilet, one complete classroom and half of a second classroom. Thank you very much to all who contributed towards this project. The finished classroom is in use and very well liked.

Also April 20th the sewing school moved into a new five room building that gives us the needed space for our classroom, production, office, a store and a potential classroom for short seminars. It has been such a blessing to us. We are still praying for monthly support to keep it running. In about three months we need to have a $1000.00 a month in place to keep the school running in this location.

Our present sewing students are doing very well. They are sewing the best yet, this is due to a change in the way we are teaching.

We are hoping that production will start soon. Diane will make the graduation gowns for our graduation celebrations in September.

June 20 we bought land to build a home, 2.19 plots, they are 600 sq Meters per lot. We hope to start building soon, we need to move out of the home where we are house sitting sometime in September.

We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the passed three years. Without you, we would not have seen the Lord at work in so many lives. You are a big part of our ministry here in Rwanda. Thanks.

Praise the Lord with us as the work goes forward here in Ryabega, Rwanda, Africa.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Last Saturday morning we heard a knock on our door. The oldest daughter of our neighbour was there to ask if we would like to come over for a meal that day. We said we'd love to and asked what time. "Two o'clock." This was early morning and we went about our day. We did the things like most normal people do - go and look for land to buy. We were talking and sizing the land, and before we knew it we were sitting in the "land office" with the right official and witnesses writing up the papers to buy the land. It's so nice when every things works out for the good!!! By this time it's like ten minutes to two, and I'm thinking "Man have I ever become laid back!" (Not really I'm fretting the whole time thinking I'm going to be late. "🎵I'm late I'm late for a very important date🎵"). We get home, have to walk past the neighbour's yard to get there and no sooner get in the house than a knock comes. Who you ask, the same lady as this morning. Yes, we are "coming". Just as soon as I change and look as pretty as you, I say.

We go over and the whole family is home. The meal is ready and waiting to be eaten. We enjoy the time. A really great time. We find out that the father is leaving at the end of the month for a trip overseas, for one year, with the Police. A great experience for him but a sad time for the family I'm sure. All the children but the youngest are in school. More than half are away at boarding schools during the year and the oldest is in university. (And I'm pretty sure mama is due soon again!).

What a beautiful family. We will miss them when we move from this house. We are not going far but . . . The youngest is the one that calls out to me when I walk passed, "Hello Sister". What a cutie he is.

So thankful for neighbours like these folk.

Well, the land is getting cleared this week. The previous owner has a week to harvest his corn, and we can start making mud bricks!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Here are the two classes with their shoulder bags they made for themselves. They all did very good at sewing. One student learned a lesson on material quality, and her next item was made with better material.

Computer Update:

I won't be getting my computer back anytime to soon. Seems like they have to order the part from the United States and will take two weeks to come. Working from my phone sure is different.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I had a great day. Peter made cakes the night before, so nice to have use of the oven in this house. In the morning class we served cake and fanta to the students and staff, and we did the same for the afternoon class. The two classes both sang a birthday song, one was in English even. We finished school and went home. I asked Peter if that was it for celebrations for the day. Long pause - turned out I wasn't suppose to ask. The YWAM'ers came about 5 o'clock and we had more cake and coffee and tea! I received two hand drawn pictures from two sweet little girls, and a cake mix from another family. It really was a great day for visiting with friends even for an introvert like me. Got ready for bed and there was a knock on the door. Here the neighbour next door had found out - I'm sure Peter must have told all of Ryabega. She speaks English and wanted to come over "even if it took to midnight to come". (Thankfully that didn't happen.) she presented me with a small brown paper bag with individually wrapped chocolates and sat for a small visit and returned home. The power has gone out before the last event do it was done in flashlight glow.

Once we were in bed we heard a noise along the wall. Turned out a frog had gotten in - I'll never know how or for how long he'd been there. He was soon delivered out the window for the night and hopefully forever.

Quite an eventful day and one I'll have fond memories of for many years.